The Hurst Fire near Los Angeles burned hundreds of acres and forced residents to evacuate.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Hurst Fire cases in California. If you were harmed by the fires in Los Angeles in January 2025, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Natural Disaster Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Hurst Fire Burns 800 Acres in Sylmar, California
In January 2025, the Hurst Fire burned nearly 800 acres in Sylmar, which is a city located in the northern San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles, California. The blaze has been successfully contained.
Hurst Fire: Key Statistics
Here are Key Statistics for the Hurst Fire:
- Date Started: January 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
- Location: Diamond Road, Sylmar (Los Angeles County)
- Acres Burned: 799 acres (98% contained as of January 15, 2025)
- Damage Assessment: No structures damaged, no injuries or deaths reported
- Cause: Under investigation
Hurst Fire Investigators Looking at Electrical Equipment
Investigators think they may have pinpointed what started the Hurst Fire. They are looking into whether electrical equipment may have sparked the Hurst Fire, which burned around 800 acres. No injuries were reported.
What Happened?
A preliminary investigation by the electrical utility company Southern California Edison determined that a circuit in the Eagle Rock / Sylmar area experienced a glitch in the power at 10:11 PM, just before the fire was reported. Investigators also found a downed conductor near an electrical tower, but it is unknown whether it fell before or after the fire.
How Destructive Was The Fire?
Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate, but fortunately, there was no structural damage or any reports of injuries, fire officials said.
Los Angeles Fires in January 2025
The Hurst Fire was one of several major wildfires that broke out on Tuesday, January 7, including the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Los Angeles that killed dozens of people, damaged or destroyed over 12,000 structures, and burned over 62 square miles.
Lawsuits Filed Against Southern California Edison
Lawsuits are being filed against Southern California Edison, the utility company that supplies electricity to Los Angeles and neighboring cities, by residents who are blaming electrical equipment for the fires.
What is the Problem?
It is becoming routine for utility companies to shut off the power in California during “Red Flag” fire conditions. This reduces the risk of electrified power lines or other equipment sparking wildfires as a result of trees or branches knocking down power lines. High-voltage lines that slap together in high winds can also shed molten balls of metal or sparks, which can ignite dry vegetation.
How Can A Lawsuit Help?
People who were harmed by the fires in California may be able to seek compensation from those who are found to be responsible.
It is still unknown what caused the Hurst Fire, but if investigators determine that electrical equipment was involved, it is possible that people who were forced to evacuate or negatively impacted could be able to join a class action lawsuit against Southern California Edison.
What Do Lawsuits Claim?
In recent years, utilities in California have been forced to pay billions of dollars in lawsuit settlements when their equipment sparked fires. These fires have been fueled by extremely dry conditions, high winds, and a growing number of homes built in areas with high fire hazards.
$21 Billion in California Wildfire Fund
The good news is that victims may be eligible to seek up to $21 billion in compensation. In 2019, lawmakers created the California Wildfire Fund to prevent utilities from going bankrupt after wildfires, and also pay people for insured and uninsured losses in wildfires.
Can I Join A Class Action?
Class action lawsuits will seek compensation for economic or non-economic losses involving wildfires. Individual lawsuits may also be filed by people who are seeking compensation for physical injuries, lost income, property damage, loss of business, or other legal claims.
It is important to talk to a lawyer right away if you think you might be eligible to join a class action involving property damage, evacuation orders, or other negative impacts from the Hurst Fire in California.
Do I Have a Hurst Fire Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Hurst Fire cases in California. If you were harmed by the fires in Los Angeles in January 2025, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Natural Disaster Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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